North American T-6 Texan (N57493)

I noticed a bit of a problem. Although the aircraft are the same, the Navy referred to their version as an SNJ while the Army Air Corp called theirs an AT-6 (the A standing for Advanced).

According to the FAA, this is an 1941 North American AT-6A. A few of the SNJs had a tailhook, but I can't see whether or not this one does.

At least 1300+ SNJs were equipped with tail hooks to use for carrier qualifications and other carrier operations and were designated SNJ 5s. Not all Naval Aviation training required tail hooks. Most were used for primary flight, formation, aerobatics, gunnery, bomb delivery, cross country navigation, touch and go landings, ground support tactics etc. When it was time to 'go to the boat', the SNJ 5s were used. Because of the constant daily use there was always a large number of SNJs in NARF (Naval Air Rework Facility) for overhaul. Very sturdy aircraft with excellent flight characteristics. The hardest part was landing a tail dragger, which had to be 'flown' (controlled) to a stop to avoid a ground loop!

Great vantage point and photo Allen

I learned to fly in SNJs in 1948/9 and later instructed in them. CleveM described the functions quite well. The plane I took to the carrier (USS Cabot CVL-24) on 26 May 1949, was an SNJ-5C. SNJs equipped with tailhooks had the "C" after the model number. Incidentally, my logbook shows -4, -5, -6 types. The -6 had a clear rear "windshield" as opposed to the cage type. The SNJ was/is a great airplane.

https://www.aerialvisuals.ca/AirframeDossier.php?Serial=27962

North American T-6 texassn

Thats not Stu's T6 is it?

Although some SNJ's were taken to the Carriers for Quals, usually Naval and Marine aviators were flying the aircraft they were going to be flying during WWII, or in some cases a different combat aircraft than the one assigned when they got to their duty station. But not a lot of SNJ's used. And the only two "Carriers" used for quals were the Wolverine and the Sable, off the coast of Chicago. The pilots usually had 1.5 hours to get it right. And they usually did an arrested landing, and took off again immediately to make room for the next aircraft in the pattern. Interesting training back then.